Emma Raducanu is back in business at Indian Wells, and it's brilliant to see.
The British star delivered a superb performance on Saturday, sweeping past Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 scoreline.
It's a result that carries extra significance for the 23-year-old, marking her first triumph since teaming up again with mentor Mark Petchey.
The 2021 US Open champion looked in fine form throughout, controlling proceedings from the baseline with the kind of aggressive tennis she's pledged to rediscover.
Emma Raducanu said she is "not aiming for the stars" as she looks to keep herself grounded
|SKY SPORTS
After parting ways with Francisco Roig, her tenth coach, Raducanu appears to have found her groove once more in California.
Despite the impressive display, Raducanu isn't getting carried away with herself.
When asked about her performance, she kept things refreshingly grounded, offering a telling six-word response about her current mindset.
"I'm not necessarily aiming for the stars right now," she said. "I think I just want to be doing my game better and better."
She added: "That was a great show of my game today, I think I played really well. I don't think it's perfect yet, but I think it's a lot better from where I was feeling."
Emma Raducanu was in fine form as she won in straight sets on Friday night
|GETTY
The Brit made clear that applying herself properly is what matters most right now.
"I think whatever I put on the court, if I apply myself like I did today, I think I'll be proud of myself, and I think I'll be in a good place," she explained.
Raducanu also opened up about her recent struggles, admitting the past month hadn't been easy.
"I hadn't necessarily felt so good for the last month, so I'm really pleased with the work we did for the last week and just for it to transfer on the match court like that," she told the BBC.
"It gives you huge confidence that you are doing the right thing. Today's match was a great display for myself of how I want to be playing."
Next up for Raducanu is a proper test against World No. 6 Amanda Anisimova in tomorrow's round of 32.
All smiles for Emma Raducanu after an impressive victory 😁 pic.twitter.com/mKFnadyLiH
— Sky Sports Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) March 6, 2026
The American, a former Wimbledon finalist, showed real grit in her previous match, coming from a set down to beat Anna Blinkova 5-7, 6-1, 6-0.
It's the kind of challenge where Raducanu will need to bring her absolute best.
There was less joy in the doubles, mind you, as Raducanu and partner Elena-Gabriela Ruse fell to third seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend 6-2, 7-5.
Still, that exit means the British No. 1 can pour all her energy into the singles draw.